Hidden below Villiers Street on the Embankment , Gordons is a splendidly atmospheric, gothic-style wine bar serving fine grapes from around the world.

The Venue
The site has been home to drinking establishments since the Bishop of Norwich pub stood here more than eight hundred years ago, long before the Embankment itself was built. The inside resembles a well-preserved, candlelit crypt with low arched ceilings. Its walls are filled with framed newspaper cuttings and paintings depicting historical events and, indeed, the whole place feels as though it exists in a bygone era. You drink below river level here, but if you feel a splash of water it is more likely to be one of the ceiling pipes leaking than the Thames flooding in. If you cannot find a seat at one of its tables (and you’ll probably have trouble) the lengthy side street acts as a pleasant beer garden shaded by the trees of Victoria Embankment Park.

The Atmosphere
Be warned, Gordons gets very busy, especially once the post-work crowd pour in to its cramped spaces. The clientele are generally friendly and good-natured, the staff brusque but professional. Queues often form at the bar but they are dealt with quickly and efficiently. The damp walls and musty air reverberate to the constant buzz of customer chatter and the clinking of glass. If you are not into social interaction then it is possible to hide away unnoticed in one of the bar’s darkened corners, which also suitable for romantic liaisons.

The Food
Gordons is all about drinking so the food is secondary, mainly there to soak up the alcohol. The menu is somewhat limited and a little expensive for what is on offer. There are both hot and cold food available, including ploughmans, pies and an excellent choice of cheeses. Portions are generous with the hunks of bread they give you being especially large.

The Drink
Gordons boasts that it has wines originating from France to India, and the slightly discoloured pages of its easy-to-read drinks menu certainly support this claim. Wine, in all its forms, is all that is on offer here but the selection is vast and of a high quality and at a reasonable price for the area. There are no beers or spirits served but there is port, sherry and champagne. If you are not here to drink alcohol then you are probably in the wrong place but orange juice and water are also available.

The Last Word
Not a place for the claustrophobic or indeed the very tall, otherwise Gordons comes highly recommended for its unique, subterranean atmosphere and its marvelous wine list at democratic prices.

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